Template for fund-raising letter writing:
Use this template to draft your fund-raising letters. It could help focus your
attention on content required in each part of the letter.
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What letters should contain
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Text of letter
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Opening paragraph(s)
- Why are you writing me?
- What do you have to say that is of interest to me?
- What do you want me to do?
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Dear --------:
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Body
- Show the commitment to case by letter signer
- Explain the case and urgency of making the gift
- Ask for the gift
- Provide information on impact of the gift
- Provide benefits to donor for making the gift
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[body text here]
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Closing paragraph(s)
- Restate your case and ask again
- Tell me why you wrote me
- Tell me how I can make the gift
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[closing paragraph text here]
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Letter Signer
- Should be a person who can appropriately, effectively ask for the gift
- One person should sign the letter
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[Letter signer name and title here]
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Postscript
- Assume the gift will be made
- Add value to the decision
- Give donor another reason to make the gift
- Keep message consistent with main theme
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[Postscript paragraph here] |
I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions. Roger Gafke, School of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia, E-mail:
roger@gafke.com
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